said. “Just like in Portland.”
“Heaven,” Dylan said. “Don’t give any to Jessica.” Kelsey laughed again.
“She’s going to send extra.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m still growing. I need as many cookies as I can get.”
Jessica walked back up. “What are you two laughing about?” she asked, a full plate of food on her tray.
“Nothing,” Dylan said, giving Kelsey a warning glare.
“She is my Mom, you know,” Kelsey grinned.
“I’m her adopted son. Don’t be selfish,” Dylan responded. He set his fork down on the tray. “I think I’ll get in line to get my ID. They start processing them at 1:30.” Dylan stood up. “Okay, I’ll see you two later.”
“See you, Dylan,” Kelsey said. She had finished her lunch. Jessica waved her fork at him.
“He’s nice,” Jessica said, after swallowing. “Why didn’t you guys hook up?”
Kelsey shook her head. “I love Dylan, but he’s not my type. And I’m not his.”
“What type does he like?”
“Why? Are you interested?”
Jessica smiled shyly.
“Well, he’s the nicest guy I bet I’ll meet in 3 years in this place.”
“Yeah, that’s probably true,” Kelsey said.
“Honestly. Those two jerks were in my small group.” Jessica said.
“From last night?”
“Exactly. There’s no way to get away from them here. And if there’s more guys like that out of a class of 120, we’re in trouble.”
“I’m sure there are some nice ones. Anyway, it’s not like we’ll have any time to date anyway.”
“That’s completely true,” Jessica said, taking the last bite of food. “Come on, let’s get in the ID line.”
“Where do we go?” Kelsey asked, pulling the neatly folded schedule out of her pocket.
“Basement of Darrow,” Jessica replied. “Hope they’re quick.”
Twenty minutes later, Jessica and Kelsey were admiring their ID cards as they walked up the stairs.
“That’s the best photo I’ve ever taken for an ID,” Jessica exclaimed.
“No wonder. You made him retake it three times.”
“I’m going to have it for years,” Jessica retorted. She reluctantly took one last look and tucked the ID into the clear plastic case at the end of her own lanyard. “And we need it for just about everything.”
“I like that,” Kelsey said.
“Me too. Except I’ll forget how much I’ve spent on snacks during the month by not paying cash.”
“Ask your parents to put a little more money on the card.”
“My parents? No way. I’m lucky that they didn’t make me borrow the full tuition for this place. Trust me, I’ll be eating all I can from the free dining hall.”
“Same here,” Kelsey agreed. Her parents were paying half of her tuition, plus her room and board, but Kelsey was using her summer savings for everything else. She had borrowed a fortune for tuition. She’d pay it off after she became a successful lawyer. Assuming she made it through the grinder.
“This is me,” Jessica said, as they reached the second floor. “See you back at the dorm.”
“Okay, bye,” Kelsey said, heading up the stairs. She went to the restroom, then back to room 311. She took the same chair, which had been left vacant. The room was almost full, as it was close to 2 p.m.. She checked her phone. Her Mom had sent an ‘I love you’ message while she had been out with her phone off. Kelsey replied and told Mom that Dylan had said Kelsey couldn’t share the cookies.
As four people walked into the room, Kelsey’s mom said she’d send extras. Kelsey signed off as three of them settled into chairs that had been placed at the front, and the last of the students hurriedly walked in.
After a moment, the fourth person who had walked in began to speak. It was Dean Miller.
“Hello, group 3. I’d like to welcome you to this afternoon’s program. For the next two hours, these three professors and I will discuss the
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